Oval-head tapping screws CR H DIN 7981C-steel zinc plated blue 4,2x50 mm

Steel is an iron-carbon alloy with a maximum carbon content of 2% by mass. The steels achieve their intended physical and mechanical properties through various hardening, annealing and tempering processes. It is also possible to harden the edge zone by surface hardening, case hardening or nitriding. Well-known steel grades are structural steels, free-machining steels, case-hardening steels, nitriding steels, tempering steels, tool steels and stainless steels.

Blue galvanised finishes are produced either by electroplating in accordance with DIN EN ISO 4042 or by mechanical plating in accordance with DIN EN ISO 12683. For fasteners with a hardness exceeding 390 HV, there is a risk of hydrogen embrittlement during galvanising (electrolytic process). This necessitates specific measures (such as annealing), although these do not provide a 100 per cent guarantee against embrittlement.

Phillips (PH) screws, standardized in ISO 8764 (blades) and DIN 7962 (Phillips recess), are widely used. For screws with a Phillips cross slot, the flanks of the cross slots taper as the depth of the slot increases. With the PH system, threaded and self-tapping screws that are difficult to access can be tightened and loosened even from a slight acute angle to the screw axis.

Case hardening is used to impart significantly greater hardness to the surface layer of steel workpieces and to improve their mechanical properties. Case-hardened workpieces are characterised by increased wear resistance, a tough core and enhanced fatigue strength.